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‘Terrorists can attack players in India too’

Karachi: The attack on the Sri Lankan players in Lahore is part of a bigger conspiracy to isolate Pakistan in international cricket and if the terrorists succeed in their mission, they would carry out similar operations in India and other Asian countries, fears former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf.

Ashraf said if Asian countries, particularly India, didn’t support Pakistan cricket at this critical juncture, terrorists could also try to target cricket in their countries to scare away foreign teams and players.

“The attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore is clearly a part of a bigger conspiracy by elements to isolate Pakistan as a sporting nation.

“There is no guarantee that they will not target other Asian countries as well,” said Ashraf who resigned as the PCB Chairman in August last year.

“If such elements succeed in their aim of turning Pakistan into a no-go country for foreign teams in terms of security, there is no guarantee they will not try to do the same with India as well and try to scare teams away from playing in India,” he said.

Support Pakistan

Ashraf said it was imperative for India and other Asian countries to support Pakistan and ensure that the 2011 World Cup matches were not shifted out of the country. — PTI